CirEkon – Investing in Circularity Means Investing in a Successful Business Future and Well-Being of the Whole Community

Faced with modern global challenges which are a direct consequence of decades of an irresponsible approach to natural resources and the living environment, we have come to a historic moment when we have to change the way we think and operate, in order to give a chance to economic and social development and recovery.

Linear economy models, which rely on the take-make/use/discard concept have as their final result an uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources and a continuous increase in the generation of waste. That leads us to the question what happens when we use the available resources? Circular economy offers a set of systemic changes and mechanisms whose implementation inevitably leads to economic growth and development, while also preserving the environment.



Switching from linear to circular economy has become a global trend. The Sustainable Development Agenda Until 2030 and the Paris Climate Agreement (2016) were adopted, whose signatory states obliged to contribute to a reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases on a global level. The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia ratified the Paris Agreement (2017). The Road Map for Circular Economy in Serbia was prepared, and the Green Agenda for Serbia was signed as well, which sets for our country a clear path toward a “green transition”.

Through the EU Directive on eco design, the European market proscribes for each imported product to meet certain criteria regarding energy and resource efficiency of products, and there are also active efforts toward amending the regulations which will make those indicators stricter, which also directly dictates the requirements toward all business entities in Serbia which strive to be competitive outside the country’s borders. A satisfactory market share can only be achieved if companies are ready to adapt to the coming changes.

In addition to several parallel processes which incite the implementation of circular economy, such as amendments to the legal framework, education and informing the actors, exchange of knowledge and experience on national, regional and international levels, the main role belongs to the circular economy design, because that is what initiates the pre-conditions for a successful realization of the remaining phases (production, use, waste management). The circular economy design is a way of systemic thinking that entails knowing the final functional needs of consumers very well, understanding the way that the product will be used throughout its life cycle, enabling the establishment of circular strategies through a design for repairability, recovery of materials, clean cycles, and the moment on which the quality and the duration of the use of the product itself depend. A responsible approach to all components is implied, so as to successfully avoid the generation of waste and extend the life cycle of the product and thereby preserve the value of the product. Just like switching to circular economy is a new need of economic development and progress, the circular economy design is a guarantee of a successful implementation of circular business operations.
Based on the results of the survey carried out in 17 municipalities in the territory of the Republic of Serbia that the UNDP published within the European Green Week 2022, most surveyed citizens believe that a healthy living environment is more important than the economy, and 64% of the citizens believe that it is possible to invest in the economy and realize a moderate economic growth, while at the same time preserving the environment. The results of the survey indicate that the citizens of Serbia recognize the importance of environmental protection and the fostering of ecological habits, which creates additional space for increasing the general level of how informed citizens are about the benefits of circular economy.
Balkan Circular Economy Beacons carried out a survey last year in order to define the need for the implementation of circular economy in Serbia through an analysis of the capacities of the business/private sector, public sector (decision-makers) and innovation sector. Most subjects from the private sector believe that switching to circular economy would be the most useful, because it would help reduce the costs 58%, improve the work structure and performances 32% and increase the capacities 20%. The results of the survey point to the fact that the lack of a systemic approach to the creation of policies, the lack of knowledge and skills and not knowing the potential benefits are the main obstacles to the creation of policies and regulations that would contribute to switching to a circular model in Serbia. Only 43% of the subjects from the academic community and the innovations sector picked the correct definition of circular economy, and 63% are not familiar with the EU Action Plan for Circular Economy.
With its years of experience, expert knowledge and enthusiasm, the Center for Circular Economy (CirEkon) is a guarantee of a successful implementation of the circular model in business operations. Through exchanging experiences and information with international experts, numerous successfully realized projects, constant professional development of its staff and expansion of positive influence through working with clients and partners, CirEkon has become a leader when it comes to the model of future business operations and synonymous with a successful transition to the circular model. With a set of services, including, among other things, circularity assessment and employee training, CirEkon is creating, together with the clients, a responsible, innovative business system, resilient to the latest demands of the circular market. CirEkon’s door is always open, inviting to, sharing common visions, turn innovative ideas into actions and incite economic development, because investing in circularity means investing in business stability in the future.

https://cirekon.rs/

Author: Milan Veselinov, founder and director of CirEkon

Centar za cirkularnu ekonomiju CIREKON d.o.o. Beograd

CirEkon

Center for Circular Economy

Balkan Circular Economy Beacons

circular economy

circularity

green transition

waste

linear economy

Sustainable Development Agenda Until 2030

Paris Climate Agreement

Road Map for Circular Economy

EU Directive on eco design

European Green Week

economic growth

environmental preservation

employee training

circularity assessment

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